Bridge scorekeeper



Oct. 27, 1936. F. L. MORSE 2,058,614

BRIDGE scoREKEEPER Filed Aug., 5, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

Enif ,l I FANKLMORSE A TTORNEYS.

Oct. 27, 1936. F. L. MORSE 2,058,614

BRIDGE SCOREKEEPER Filed Aug. 3, 1935 3 Sheets-Shaml 2 FRANK LMORSE -NVENTOR Bfmq A TTORNEYS.

0121327, 1936. Fl MORSE 2,058,614

BRIDGE SCOREKEEPER Filed Aug. 3, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 OOOOOOOO O bo OOOOOOOOOOlOGO FRANK L MORSE INVENTOR.

\ A TTORNEYS.

n which will be simple in operation, and continu Patented Oct. 27, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRIDGE SCOREKEEPER- Frank L. Morse, Ithaca, vN. Y. yAppli-mation.smgilst 3, 1333, serial No. 683,451

2. claims. (o1. 235 90) This invention relates to devices for keeping score in the game of contract bridge, or similar games in which a succession of large numbers is totalized. It embodies simple devices readily 1 'read on both sides of the bridge table, by which' the points are accumulated until a game is finished, then automatically transferred to the total" score when each game is nished, with indications' ously inform the players of the status of the score and assist them in the conduct of th game. I

Referring now to the drawings: v

Fig. 1- is a plan view showing the device as mounted in an ordinary bridge table.

Fig.` 2 is a plan View of the main scoring plate on a larger scale, showing the method of scoring.

vfFig. 3 is a longitudinal elevation taken on the l line 3-3 of Fig. l of the apparatus as mounted Y' inra bridge table,the table being shown in cross-` section.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, showing the manner of mount- Fig. '7 is a plan View of the operating end oi the device, on a larger scale, with the cover plate and part of the upper tapes removed to show the mechanism.

Fig. 8 is an elevation on line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a cross-section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

parts thruout the various views.

Referring now to Fig. 1, which .illustrates one preferred form of the device, openings for two window plates, 2 and 2, are cut in the top of the bridge table 3; and beneath the table top, ex-

tending from beneath one window plate tothe other, is a sheet metal box 4, as shown more in detail in Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. This box 4 contains six scoring tapes, 5, 5', 6, 6', and 1,1',- -two ofthese tapes 5, 5 being used to accumulate the points to make a game, two others 6, vl', being used to keep the total game scores, and over tricks, and the other two tapes 1, 1 are' used for the honor score and set points. A `The tapes 5, 5' on which the points toward a Similar reference numerals vrefer to similarv ga-me are indicated are moved in one direction to register and-the other tapes are moved in the other direction toregister. The clearing of the point-.score when a game is completed automatically transfers the total game score to tape 6 or Bfas'will be described more in detail later.

The tapes A5', 5', 6, 6 and 1, 'l' extend around individual large rollers 8 (see Fig. 3, Fig. 4, and Fig. 5), at one'end of the box 4, then under the windows 9 and close to the window plate 2, then down underthe smaller rollers 9' and across to similar large rollers, small rollers and window plates 2 at' the other endvof the box 4. The two ends of each strip are connected by a tension spring Illattached to suitable rivet heads l2 and I2 at the ends of the strip,so that each strip forms in elTect an endless belt running between the large rollers as described. The rivet heads I2' also actas stops by coming up against the stop-bars IDF-inthe: extreme position so as to limit the travel. 'f f On each one of the tapes are printed two similar seriesl ofE :scoring figures, increasing successively in suitable-steps from the lowest to the highest possible score`,-each series extending no more than half the length of the strip, and arranged so thatwhen a given number appears under one window in platel 2, a corresponding number will simultaneously appear in the other plate 2'. Thu`s,'"while the score may be kept at one plate, it may also be read at the other plate, and with two plates'arranged at opposite corners of the table, as shown, all four players may readily observe the score. Generally, each side keeps its own score, and at the same time may observe the score being kept'bythe adversary. The last' ligure O of the larger numbers may be omitted from the tapes if desired to permit theuse of narrower tapes.

yThe tapes 5, 5', 6,*6, and l, l are preferably madev4 of thin flexible metal, though any other durable material may be used. A small hole 20 is provided oppositeeach number on the tapes, and these holes 20 pass yunder open slots 2|, 2|', 22, 22', 23, 23', so that a stylus or pencil point S may be inserted therein to move the tapes alonga double pronged or forked stylussuch as shown in Figf'beingpre'ferably employed. The stylus S has two prongs rP and P' spaced apart the distance ofthe rst two tapes, and at the other end of` the ,handle I-I there is provided a single point or stylUS'P" Referring now particularly to Fig. 2, it will beV seen'that thevslots 2|, 2|', -22, 22', 23, 23' are marked inthe formof arrows indicating the direc'ton the stylus should be moved in scoring.

The game points are registered in the first slot 2| for example, and the arrow is pointed upward. 'Ihe numbers corresponding to the points which might be scored at each hand toward a game are found along the side of the slot, and as the points are made, a single prong of the stylus is inserted in the hole in the tape opposite the corresponding number, and then moved upward to the end of the slot. This moves the tape along by an amount corresponding to that number of points, and the number appearing in the window marked Game points is increased that amount, so that it shows the total amount of points accumulated toward a game.

When this total amounts to or more in contract bridge, a game is won. To clear the game point column and prepare for the next game, and at the same time add the score to the total game score, the two prong stylus S is inserted in the first two columns 2| and 22 opposite the number in the second column that corresponds to the game points shown in the rst window, and both tapes are then pulled down to the bottom of the slot. For example, if the game score is 110, the stylus S is inserted in the rst two slots opposite the number H0 in the second or total game score column 22, and when the stylus is pulled down to the bottom of the slots. as indicated by the downward pointed arrow of the second column, the rst tape will be moved back points, which will restore it to zero, and the second tape will register or add 110 points to the total game score, so that the total of the game scores will be continuously shown in the second window marked Game score. At the same time the partial game score of the opponent is similarly transferred to the game total on the other side, using the double stylus.

Over tricks are scored in the second column 22 by pulling the tape downward or toward the operator, using a single prong of the stylus. Honor scores and set points are scored in the third column 23 marked Honor by using a single prong of the stylus and pulling down, as indicated by arrow. As previously stated, the series of numbers on each tape are repeated and arranged so that the same numbers will appear simultaneously at the windows of the window plates 2 as well as at the plate 2, so that the players on the opposite side of the table are continuously apprised of the status of the score.

The first three columns 2|, 22, 23, as described are used for one side, and the other three columns 2|', 22', 23', are similar and are used for the score of the other side, the various points being registered by the use of the single or double point stylus as has been described in connection with the first three columns.

The tape in the second or game score column may be made a different color above the 100 point so as to indicate that the side is vulnerable, but in the preferred embodiment as shown, vulnerability is indicated by the letter V appearing automatically at the window 3|. This is accomplished by the following mechanism.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the tape 5 lying under the slot 2|, on which the game points are accumulated, passes over a guide strip 32 made of metal which prevents the point of the stylus from extending toov far thru the holes in the tape and damaging it. Thru an opening in this guide 32, and directly in line with the holes of the tape, there is located a trip 33, pivoted at the point 34 to an arm 35, which is in turn pivoted at the point 36. A light spring 31 holds the trip 33 against a stop 38 on the arm 35, so as to permit the trip 33 to move easily in one direction but to lock it to the arm 35 if it is moved in the other direction. The arm 35 is connected by a rod 39 to the lever 4| which carries a face plate 42 which appears under the window 3| carrying the letter V indicating Vulnerable if the arm 35 and lever 4| are swung in one direction, and a blank if swung to the other. The plate 42 may also be made red in one portion to indicate Vulnerable and black in the other portion.

The trip 33 is located along the slot 2| substantially opposite the point corresponding to a game or 100 on the game score column. As the points are registered in column 2| by moving the stylus upward or toward the left in Fig. 4, the stylus slips over the yielding trip 33 without moving the arm 35. But when at the end of a game the stylus is pulled -down or toward the right in Fig. 4 in clearing the rst column 2| and transferring the score to column 22, the stylus engages the trip 33, which by the action of the stop 38 is locked to the arm 35. This swings the arm 35 and lever 4| to the right, bringing the sign "Vulnerable under the window 3 I.

Similar mechanism operates for the window 3| of the other side, so that each side is continuously informed as to whether it is vulnerable or not.

A card color indicator appears in window 44, under which is merely a slide operated by placing the point of the stylus in the small hole 45 and moving it sideways, one way or the other.

In order to quickly return the scores to zero when desired, a device termed a zeroizer is provided, consisting of a plate 5| having a lip 52 and horizontal face 53 which slides loosely along the bottom of the box 4. The lip 52 is adapted to engage the rivets I2 on the tapes 6, 6', 1, l', and as the tapes are moved in scoring by the stylus as described, the plate 5| is carried along also by the rivet |2 on the tape which happens to be farthest advanced. After a rubber has been played, the machine can be cleared by pulling on the string 55 attached to the plate 5|. As the plate 5| is drawn back by the string, the lip 52 engages the various rivets I2' on the tapes 6, 6', l, 1 and restores them to zero. At the same time a projection 56 in the plate 5| engages the lower end 51 of the arm 35 and swings the Vulnerable indication back, so that it is also cleared, as in the beginning.

If it is desired to play a number of rubbers during an evening play, accumulating the score in the scoring machine without clearing it at the end of each rubber, it can be accomplished in the following manner. At the end of the rubber the vulnerable sign is moved from red to black, or from V to blank, by inserting a point of the stylus into the hole 58 of the face plate 42 in the window 3| or 3|', and since the game point tapes have been restored to zero at the end of each game, a new rubber can be started. Thus the scores may be accumulated in columns 22, 22', 23, 23', until possibly six or more rubbers have been played. or the capacity of the machine has been reached.

With the apparatus described a simple and eiective means is provided for keeping the players informed of the status of the game points, game score and honor score at all times, together with other pertinent information, such as vulnerability, card color, etc. It will be obvious to those mathematically minded that by the use of the double pronged stylus the final scores can also be automatically subtracted from each other to obtain the net points won, by running the nal tapes backward in equal degrees until one reaches zero. But this is not usually done in ordinary play.

While I have in the foregoing described certain specic embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that they are merely by way of illustration to make clear the principles thereof, and that the invention is not limited thereto, but is susceptible to various modications and adaptations as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention as stated in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a scoring device, the combination of a plurality of tapes, cumulative series of scoring numbers on each tape, said series advancing in one way on one tape and the other way on the adjacent tape, said tapes being placed in juxtaposition and arranged so that one tape is advanced in one direction to register the points toward a game score and both tapes are moved in the opposite direction to clear the game points from one tape and transfer them to the total game score on the other tape and a two pronged stylus adapted to engage both tapes so that they may be moved simultaneously to advance one series of numbers and retract the other series of numbers simultaneously by like amount in transferring and accumulating the total game score.

2. In a bridge scoring device, a mechanism for indicating when a side is vulnerable comprising in combination a perforated tape adapted to be progressively advanced to accumulate points in a game, a pointed element adapted to be inserted in said perforations to move the tape, and a vulnerability indicator having a trip located in the path of said pointed element when in said perforations, said trip being arranged to allow the pointed element to pass over it in one direction without operating the indicator but to catch the pointed element and operate the indicator when the tape is being moved in the opposite direction, said trip being located at a point corresponding to the score at which a side becomes vulnerable, or a warning 20 needs to be given.

FRANK L. MORSE. 

